Tektro TK-R540 w/ cart pads - Upgrade to stop better?
Tektro TK-R540 w/ cart pads - Upgrade to stop better?
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Discussion

ED209

Original Poster:

6,018 posts

273 months

Monday 23rd May 2016
quotequote all
Well i have a Giant defy composite 2013 model which is fitted with Tektro TK-R540 w/ cart pads brakes as standard. I have always been a bit of a tart when it comes to descents but today in the wet i scared myself due to the fact my brakes seemed almost useless.

This has got me thinking about brake upgrades.

What does PH recommend? Will replacing the pads make much difference? If so what pads will i need?

HughG

3,742 posts

270 months

Monday 23rd May 2016
quotequote all
Aluminium rims?

Shimano 105 5800 brakes are a worthwhile upgrade. I've always found the 105/ultegra/dura ace pads fine with decent calipers. Discs are a worthwhile upgrade unless you're racing imo though.

ED209

Original Poster:

6,018 posts

273 months

Monday 23rd May 2016
quotequote all
HughG said:
Aluminium rims?

Shimano 105 5800 brakes are a worthwhile upgrade. I've always found the 105/ultegra/dura ace pads fine with decent calipers. Discs are a worthwhile upgrade unless you're racing imo though.
I don't think i will be able to go discs unless i get a new bike though.

Jimbo.

4,213 posts

218 months

Monday 23rd May 2016
quotequote all
Good pads (Swisstop Flash Pro, green or the newer blue) with clean rims (use an abrasive rubber aka rim cleaning rubber, ohhhh errrr) and gunk-free inner and outer cables will see you good. Rarely is it worth "upgrading" anything without making the above basics are taken care of.

HughG

3,742 posts

270 months

Tuesday 24th May 2016
quotequote all
ED209 said:
I don't think i will be able to go discs unless i get a new bike though.
True

loudlashadjuster

6,403 posts

213 months

Tuesday 24th May 2016
quotequote all
I'm in the 'just change the pads and clean everything up' camp.

I had standard Tiagra brakes on my bike from new and was never really happy with them, too many 'punching buttons' moments.

I swapped to the Dura-Ace/Ultegra/105 pads which were much better, Swissstop greens which were expensive and bloody awful looking but not really any better, and now some Discobrakes ones which are at least as good and only a fiver a throw.

Pads are wear & tear/disposable items and I'm not convinced that spending £20 on a pair of pads is really necessary.

What is important is to keep the rim and pad surface clean though. Apart form anything else it makes the pads (and, I presume, rim) last longer.

ALawson

8,054 posts

280 months

Tuesday 24th May 2016
quotequote all
I used to use these.

http://www.aztecbrakes.co.uk/rim/road/pba3022

However having had to replace a set of rims after less than 5k km I have been advised to use these instead.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/kool-stop-dura-aceultegra1... (Salmon ones) as my wheel builder reckons they wear out quicker than the above (you don't want to be spending £230 re-rimming wheels every year).


ED209

Original Poster:

6,018 posts

273 months

Friday 27th May 2016
quotequote all
ALawson said:
I used to use these.

http://www.aztecbrakes.co.uk/rim/road/pba3022

However having had to replace a set of rims after less than 5k km I have been advised to use these instead.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/kool-stop-dura-aceultegra1... (Salmon ones) as my wheel builder reckons they wear out quicker than the above (you don't want to be spending £230 re-rimming wheels every year).
Have ordered some of those kool stop pads.Will see how they go.